Last year, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said it was important for the public to know the signs of human trafficking and remain aware and vigilant during the parade. Those who are being trafficked are not always kept behind locked doors; they are often hidden in plain sight at construction sites, restaurants, hotels, and yes, even a St. Patrick’s Day parade. So, what are the signs?

As we continue to march toward St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, a local theatre group is hoping to capitalize on the Irish celebration and help in the fight against human trafficking. The Savannah Repertory Theater is putting on the musical “Once”, based on the Academy Award winning film by the same name.

Kimberly Ergul is featured in this month’s Making a Difference article with her story behind The Kindness Project. Kim is pursuing a trademark on her Be Mindful to be Kindful campaign and would love your support! Check out the full article on page 26 of February edition of Stroll Ardsley Park and visit her website to support this project!

Chatham County has one of the highest numbers of human trafficking cases in the state of Georgia. With Pooler being a hot spot for its location, the city council is spreading awareness through its latest proclamation. At last week’s city council meeting, Pooler City Councilwoman Karen Williams submitted the proclamation declaring January Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Tharros Place hosted its Cocktails for Courage event on Friday at Cohen’s Retreat. The organization provides support and shelter for survivors of human trafficking.

Tharros Place hosted its Cocktails for Courage event on Friday at Cohen’s Retreat. The organization provides support and shelter for survivors of human trafficking.

Tharros Place hosted its Cocktails for Courage event on Friday at Cohen’s Retreat. The organization provides support and shelter for survivors of human trafficking.

Human trafficking remains a crime that impacts hundreds of thousands of young people in the U.S. every year, and those are just the ones we know about. It’s such a problem in Chatham County that a local lawyer stepped away from her 9-to-5 job to tackle it. Julie Wade is the founder of Tharros Place, here in Savannah. Their mission is to provide housing and resources to young victims of human trafficking. Wade stopped by First News at 4 to talk about some of the shocking realities of human trafficking in the Hostess City.

For years, there has been a gap in services locally to assist and address the needs of minor victims. But fortunately, that has changed. Established in 2022, Tharros Place is a nonprofit organization that will open up a residential home in Chatham County for female human trafficking survivors ages 11 to 17. The word ‘tharros’ is Greek for courage, and Tharros Place aims to create a culture of courage where victims can transform from trauma to triumph.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. While you may not think human trafficking could happening where you live, you may want to think again.

Writers, including debut novelist Helen P. Bradley, Zoomed in from South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Maine, and New Jersey to share stories and poems in the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s virtual Open Mic Night. James Davis May, author of Unusually Grand Ideas, was the featured writer this month.

A shelter under development in Savannah's Chatham County for child survivors of human trafficking will receive a multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to help fund operations for the 12-bed facility, scheduled to open in summer 2023. Tharros Place announced this month that the DOJ is awarding $250,000 annually over three years to the nonprofit, which is building what would become the first facility of its kind in the county, as it will exclusively serve girls between the ages of 11 and 17.

Right now there are about 15 kids that have been trafficked going through juvenile court in Chatham County. However, there is no safe place for them to go and get the help they need. This is set to change soon.

Tharros Place, a new nonprofit that will provide services for survivors of human trafficking, announced today it received a $750,000, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to begin funding operations for a residential facility. When completed in summer 2023, the facility will be open 24/7 and staffed by trained and licensed professionals providing trauma-informed, client-centered care to girls ages 11 to 17.

At a press conference outside of the United Way on Bull Street on Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it will award a $750,000 grant to Tharros Place, a start-up Savannah-based nonprofit that will provide a residential facility and wraparound support services to survivors of human trafficking.